Where do I even begin. I've been thinking about writing a review for a while now, but haven't gotten the nerve until now. It has taken me much needed time to process the trauma that I had endured because of Michael Clemente. It has been a couple of years and yet I still tremble at that thought of this man. To sum it up, Dr. Clemente has taken extreme advantage of someone with a disability. At the start of my treatment, Dr. Clemente had promised me the moon and the stars. He said that I was the ideal candidate for invisalign. I originally wanted to go with braces, but he said they were having a special and at my age he would recommend this course of treatment. I had saved up all my money, working long days all year long and I would put aside any little extra money I had to get braces. I would experience teeth discomfort and I longed for braces for quite some time. Well, once I signed on the dotted line with Dr. Clemente saw a completely different person. There were concerns along the way throughout the course of my treatment. For example, I would receive poorly fitting trays from his assistants' at time of pickup. I would call and let them know that they would be loose and fall off throughout the day. I was told by reception that I shouldn't worry and that is normal...however, i have learned, it is far from normal. I have a hard time speaking up for myself so it was very easy for Dr. Clemente to take advantage of me and he had no problem doing so. I would ask to speak to him throughout my treatment but he never had enough time for me. When he would come in, he would barely look me in the eye and stay for no longer than a minute. He acted as if I were a pest and had unrealistic expectations by end of treatment.however, In the words of three other orthodontists, my expectations were very achievable. As soon as my time was up, he came in and said "treatments over." I expressed that I wasn't happy and I would like to put on braces like he originally said I could do if I was fully satisfied with my treatment. His response, well he's fully satisfied so it didn't matter what I thought. He left me without a retainer that I had already paid for. He took advantage of a vulnerable person with a disability. On the last visit, when he talked to me, he made a point to overpower me and kept on pointing his finger a half inch from my face. I have never felt so belittled and degraded in my life. Shame on you, Dr. Clemente. When you go into his office, you may see colorful signs and pictures of his grandchildren that may make you let your guard down, but don't, he is a callous person. I immediately got three opinions from well respected orthodontists in the community and I never regretted not doing my research before signing with Dr. Clemente in my life. Each and every one of them validated exactly how I felt and all said that there was still a long way to go with my treatment and he should be ashamed as an orthodontist that he would even say the treatment is close to being done. On top of this, he let his coordinator speak so he'll of me to my hygienist. It was humiliating. My advice, please teach anyone you love that it is so important to do their research and not sign with the first person who charms you and don't let a doctor bully you, remember to speak up and don't let yourself get bossed around. I wish it was advice I had taken at the time. I pray to God that no one else has to experience what I did with his practice. If you read all of his other reviews, this is clearly a pattern of behavior. I am lucky enough to have gotten in contact with three of his former patients who’ve had similar experiences.

Submitted Sept. 3, 2023

I am reading other people reviews and I am actually shocked at the negative reviews. I was a patents myself. I had braces as a teenager and as most kids do, you stop wearing your retainers. So, since I stopped wearing my top retainer my top canine started to jet out and shift. So, I found Dr. Clemente and he recommend a retainer to start pushing the tooth back into place. Which worked. But, I feel people fail to remember is that it is the patients responsibility to wear retainers. As we grow, age and our over all health and body changes so does our teeth. Also, I used to work for my old orthodontist as a young adult and a Dr coming in and spending 2 minutes with you is normal. The "assistant" is supposed to change the rubber bands and wires. Why should the Dr? The Dr looks for movement, changes, readiness for new wires, sores and hygiene. I have been both a patient and the assistant. So, when my daughter was ready for braces I went to Dr. Clemente. He and his daughters are professional and nice. So is his staff. I looked for cleanness for his office and it is top notch. We were either seen early (if we arrived early) or right on time. When my daughter lost a brace we were seen right away. As for billing we had no issues. I was in full understanding what my insurance offered as far as coverage and what the cost for treatment was and what my responsibility was. They worked out a payment plan with me so I could afford my daughters treatment. When my daughters treatment was complete they do have you and you child sign that you are fully aware that YOU are responsible for maintenance your appliances and wearing them and good oral hygiene. If you stop wearing you retainers everything is going to shift especially if your wisdom teeth have yet to come in. If your retainers are loose and you are doing your part and wearing it all the time, you take your retainer in for tightening. Your teeth wont shift if you are responsible.

Submitted Dec. 4, 2018

We love Dr. Michael. I did Invisalign with his office. The office is well run and they are usually on time. My appointments were quick, but if i had questions they were always answered. Also I did not have those attachment things on my teeth, which was awesome. Because of him and his staff I cannot stop smiling!! I would Definitely recommend Clemente Orthodontics to anyone.

Submitted March 19, 2018

Clemente Orthodonitcs is a wonderful, experienced, all around well run office. The doctors are great and so are all the staff members. I had Invisalign at the office and not only did I finish early, but I got the best result and I get compliments daily. I am an adult and had reservations about getting treatment, but I am so happy I get my teeth straight and the most beautiful smile I use to only dream of. Not only will my kids be going here, but will tell my friends and family members as well. I would recommend them to everyone.

Submitted March 6, 2018

Definitely would not recommend. They suggested a space retainer to make room for braces for a suggested 1.5 years before braces and it did nothing except use up all my maximum payout for orthodontics care with my insurance. Now I am stuck paying out of pocket for orthodontics with another professional who had to extract 5 teeth from my soons mouth anyways. Aside from misdiagnosis or recommendation for my child with their experimental treatment, they cost me time and money. Never again! They will not get my other children's services not that they cared. They just want their payments. Not honest professional at all!

Submitted Jan. 9, 2018

Would not recommend. Trainee does all the work. He will be with the patient for less than 2 minute then leave the trainee to do the work.

Submitted Feb. 29, 2016

When in for lower braces for 2 slightly twisted teeth,was told 6 mths procedure . The female trainee did most of the work. He usually walk in for 2 minutes...this is not a joke....After 6 months and very little change in apperance. I complain and micheal place 2 rubber band on brace. It was so tight. Broken my tooth. I Had to get a $2000 root canal done at my expense 3 wks later. Wow not recommend. His price will be lower than most. But work is not great compare to others in the field. His trainee does 97% of the work. After almost 1 yr the work was completed. I like the appearane of the work.....but the trainee place lot of cement on the wire could not floss...return to my regular dentist after 6 mth for cleaning..and they told me to return to get cement fix...I did, the worst I could have done...Michael got the drill and mess my teen up my making huge floss hole spaces...I would not recommend...not due to better price...his daughter does much better work...I would recommend her is she is doing the job.

Submitted Feb. 16, 2015

I went to Dr. Clemente almost 20 years ago and I regret it to this day. I used to have a perfect bottom row of teeth and a couple out of place on the top row. My dentist sent me to Clemente to get braces on the top row and he insisted on putting braces on the bottom as well, which I can only assume means more of a payday for him. Well that payday came at the expense of my teeth which are horribly crooked for the rest of my life. I regret being a child and not being able to object because even then I knew I didn't need the braces. Horrible. Please do not go here.

Submitted Oct. 13, 2014

My experience with Dr. Michael Clemente was horrible. He never once greeted my daughter ( the patient)with any warmth or kindness. Every visit was an effort to just say hello,if she and I were lucky enough to get one. Treatment was not fully explained- probably due to the mechanical nature of how he works and treats his patients. The problem was not corrected to our satisfaction. I found him to be an arrogant individual who best be suited working with robots rather than human beings, especially children.

Submitted July 17, 2014

I had a terrible experience with Michael Clemente in Ridgewood. After seeing him for nearly two years for Invisalign treatment, I felt he was rude and defensive for almost the entire treatment. I felt my questions and concerns were never answered in a straight forward and professional manner. At one point, I'd been raising an issue for nearly four months about a certain tooth movement until he finally listened and addressed it. On my final appointment with him he actually stormed out of the visit while I was still speaking to him and letting him know how dissatisfied I was. After I'd paid him thousands of dollars, I was left to his technicians to resolve my concerns. I was stunned that a doctor would not have more obligation and committment to a patient and the patient's satisfaction.

Submitted Aug. 21, 2013